Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Dover?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Dover?

Many visitors spend two to four days in Dover during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This town offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beautiful scenery, the hiking, the museums and landmarks, and the restaurant scene.

Dover is home to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. This spectacular sight offers views down the coastline and highlights the remoteness of the setting. On the east side you'll find the Dover Castle, which warrants at least a few hours of exploration.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Dover? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Dover?

Many visitors spend three days in Dover, as this is a good amount of time to see the natural town's major attractions such as the beautiful scenery, the hiking, and the museums and landmarks. If you have three days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

How to spend 3 days in Dover

Don't miss the White Cliffs of Dover during your trip to Dover, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

Dover is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The stunning White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight that is not to be missed.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Official Canterbury Guided Walking Tour - 11.00 Tour ($20)
  • Official Canterbury Guided Walking Tour - 14.00 Tour ($20)
  • Private Guided Walking Tour of Canterbury ($161)

Known for it's hiking, Dover sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

This town offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Dover & White Cliffs Tour; Canterbury, Coastal Towns & Castles ($222)
  • Dover Shore Excursion:Post-Cruise Tour to London via Canterbury and Leeds Castle ($200)

Is 4 days enough time in Dover?

Four days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Dover. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Dover as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.

How to spend 4 days in Dover

With 4 days in Dover, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.

After you've explored most of Dover, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

Is 5 days enough time in Dover?

Five days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Dover at your own pace to experience the beautiful scenery, the hiking, the museums and landmarks, and the restaurant scene. Then you can use this spot as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.

How to spend 5 days in Dover

If you have more than 5 days in Dover, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.

With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Dover, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Dover, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.